TenneT Selects HVDC Engineering Support Contractors for 2 GW Grid Connections

August 22, 2024, by Adrijana Buljan

TenneT has closed the tender and awarded contracts to companies that will provide HVDC engineering support to the already-selected EPCI contractors for the 2 GW bipolar HVDC converter stations that will make the new offshore grid connections in the Netherlands.

Dutch transmission system operator (TSO) signed the contracts, valued at a total of EUR 7 million, with KEMA-CESI, Stantec Consulting, and Hatch Küttner.

The tender was split into two lots, with Lot 1 covering HVDC system studies, harmonic studies, control & protection VSC HVDC system, and dynamic performance and factory performance test with RTDS, including on-site support. Under Lot 2, the work includes primary plant engineering HVDC / AC (AIS / GIS) engineering, and HVDC system installation and commissioning (onshore or offshore).

TenneT selected three providers through the tender as the TSO set up the HVDC engineering support team comprising a preferred supplier, a backup supplier and a second backup supplier, to which assignments can be assigned.

For the work under Lot 1, the preferred supplier is KEMA-CESI, with Hatch being the backup and Stantec the second backup consultant. KEMA-CESI is also the lead consultant on the work in Lot 2, where Stantec is the backup and Hatch second backup consultant.

The contracts for support work follow the multi-billion-euro multiyear agreements TenneT awarded in March 2023 to connect eight offshore wind farms in the Netherlands and three offshore wind farms in Germany until 2031.

The TSO has chosen Hitachi and Petrofac, GE and Sembcorp Marine Offshore Platforms (SMOP), and GE and McDermott to deliver offshore platforms and onshore substations. The agreements cover the engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning (EPCI) of the 2 GW bipolar HVDC converter stations. Each grid connection system will be capable of transmitting 2GW at 525 kV.

The partnership between Hitachi and Petrofac has been awarded five Dutch projects that will be connected in Borssele (IJmuiden Ver Alpha, Nederwiek 1), Eemshaven (Doordewind 1 and Doordewind 2) and Geertruidenberg or Moerdijk (Nederwiek 3). GE and SMOP have been selected for three Dutch projects that will be connected in Maasvlakte, Rotterdam (IJmuiden Ver Beta, IJmuiden Ver Gamma and Nederwiek 2).